Carlisle’s teenage boxing star John Joe Carrigan is back in the ring this weekend for the first time since becoming world champion.

Carrigan, 17, starts his bid for glory in the North West regional finals of the England Boxing National Youth Championships.

The Border City Amateur Boxing Club star will be competing in the 71kg category in the event at Blackburn’s Audley Sports Centre on Sunday.

His opponent will be Muhammed Ali Shahzad from Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club in Manchester.

The contest will see Carrigan begin his attempt to land another top national title – and retain the belt he won last year.

He will be aiming to progress to the national finals which are held in Rotherham on the weekend of February 8-9.

It is the first competitive action in 2025 for Carrigan after a glittering 2024 for the young Cumbrian.

Last November he won gold in the 70kg final at the World Under-19 Championships in Colorado, USA.

That added to a string of other European, national and regional successes for the promising Carlisle boxer, who is from Todhills.

His feats last year saw England Boxing pay a special visit to Border City ABC to present them with a plaque to mark their role in developing Carrigan – with national coaches believing he has the potential to compete in future Olympic Games.

“John Joe has put the hard work in as always, and is ready to go on Sunday,” said Border City ABC coach Ian Archibald.